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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPARKING AT 620 S. LEMAY AVE. - MJA/FDP - FDP150009 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 1 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 SOUTH LEMAY AVENUE ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION STUDY © February 2015 Larimer County, Colorado Prepared by: BLUE MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING Supporting Sustainable Management of Natural Resources 937 MALLARD DRIVE, FT. COLLINS, CO 80521 (970) 224-0851 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 2 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 3 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 5 2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................................................ 5 3.0 ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION ............................................................................................................... 5 3.1 WILDLIFE ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 3.2 WETLANDS ................................................................................................................................................... 6 3.3 PROMINENT VIEWS ....................................................................................................................................... 6 3.4 NATIVE TREES AND VEGETATION ................................................................................................................. 7 3.6 BANK, SHORELINE AND HIGH WATER MARK OF PERENNIAL WATER .......................................................... 8 3.7 SENSITIVE AND SPECIALLY VALUED SPECIES ............................................................................................... 8 3.8 SPECIAL HABITAT FEATURES ....................................................................................................................... 8 3.9 WILDLIFE MIGRATION CORRIDORS .............................................................................................................. 9 3.10 GENERAL ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS ........................................................................................................... 9 3.11 TIMING OF DEVELOPMENT IN RELATION TO ECOLOGICAL CHARACTER ..................................................... 9 3.12 MITIGATE MEASURES ............................................................................................................................... 10 4.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................... 10 REFERENCES..................................................................................................................................................... 10 APPENDIX A: PROJECT MAPS .......................................................................................................................... 13 APPENDIX B: SITE PHOTOGRAPHS ................................................................................................................... 25 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 4 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 5 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 1.0 Introduction This report documents ecological characteristics within the proposed 36-stall parking lot for a medical clinic located at 620 South Lemay Avenue (Parcel # 87182-37-001). Additional parking spaces are needed both on the existing lot and proposed at two nearby locations: across Poudre River Drive to the northeast (Parcel # 87182-43-001) or across Hoffman Mill Road to the east (Parcel #8718 2-00-033). The site is located in the Community Commercial Poudre River (CCR) Zone District. This report conforms to Section 3.4.1 (D) (1) of the Land Use Code of the City of Fort Collins regarding the preparation of an Ecological Characterization Study (ECS). This report was required by the City of Fort Collins Community Development and Neighborhood Services in correspondence dated May 19, 2014, because the project is within 500 feet of the Poudre River and associated wetlands that support aquatic and riparian forest features. 2.0 Site Description The proposed parking lot at 620 South Lemay Avenue encompasses 0.99 acres (43,228 square feet) and is located approximately 300 feet east of South Lemay Avenue, on the southeast corner of Poudre River Drive and 225 feet northeast of Riverside Drive at the corner of East Laurel Street and Hoffman Mill Road. The Property is bounded by commercial development to the west, residential to the south and the Poudre River Corridor to the north and east. The Springer and William’s Natural Area is located to the north of the site within the Poudre River corridor. The legal description for the site is a portion of the northwest ¼ of Section 18, Township 7 north, Range 69 west of the 6th Principal Meridian in Larimer County, Colorado. Platt maps of the existing and proposed conditions, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetland Inventory Map and City of Fort Collins Habitat and Natural Features Inventory Map are provided in Appendix A. The site was visited by Matt Tobler (Natural Resource Specialist) and Clint Hinebaugh (Wildlife Biologist) with Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting on November 5, 2014, and by Clint Hinebaugh and Tim Buchanan with the City of Fort Collins on January 30, 2015,. 3.0 Ecological Characterization The elements of the Ecological Characterization Study are summarized in this section in the order listed in Section 3.4.1 (D) (1) of the Land Use Code. According to the City of Fort Collins Natural Habitat and Features Map, the site is characterized as a Non-native Upland Plains Forest. 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 6 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 3.1 Wildlife Due to the Property’s location, size and adjacent land uses, wildlife value is generally low. The Property contains a large population of Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) trees and provides vertical structure that benefits avifauna. Seasonal and/or year-round use can be expected by a number of passerines including American robin (Turdus migratorius), common flicker (Colaptes auratus), mourning doves (Zenaidura macroura), sparrows, magpies (Pica pica), swifts and swallows, crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos), and ravens (Corvus corax). Some suitable nesting sites for hawks and owls were identified in the larger cottonwoods adjacent to the project site, but no nests, old or new, were located during the site visit. There are several snags outside of the southern property boundary that could benefit numerous species as well as cavity nesting birds such as chickadees and house wrens. In addition to avifauna, small rodents including mice, voles, rats, pocket gophers (Geomys bursarius) and cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus auduboni) are expected to utilize the Property year round. Given the location adjacent to the Poudre River, species such as white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), coyote (canis latrans), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and red fox (Vulpesfulva) are common. Species or species sign that were identified during the site visit include the common flicker, sparrows, mourning and Eurasian doves, rabbits, coyote and deer. With the exception of the Poudre River corridor to the north, areas outside of the Property were not traversed due to private property access concerns. 3.2 Wetlands There are no wetlands on the Property. The Poudre River is located approximately 400 feet to the north. According to the USFWS National Wetlands Inventory, the Poudre River is a riverine lower perennial unconsolidated bottom wetland (R2UGB) while the corridor contains a palustrine forested temporary flooded wetland (PFOA) and a palustrine emergent seasonally flooded wetland (PEMC). A map of these wetlands in relation to 620 South Lemay Avenue is provided in Appendix A. According to the FEMA Map Panel (08069C0983H), the Property is outside of the Poudre River Floodplain (http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-do/stormwater/flooding/floodplain-maps- documents, accessed on February 9, 2015). 3.3 Prominent Views Prominent views of the cottonwood gallery within the Poudre River Corridor exist.The Poudre River was not visible from or near the Property due to mature trees, topography and other structures. Neighborhood views or Front Range features are not likely to be impacted by the 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 7 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved proposed development. Typical views from Hoffman Mill Road and East Laurel Street are provided in Appendix B. 3.4 Native Trees and Vegetation Native vegetation comprised a minor component of the total cover at this site. Common native species include curly cup gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa), ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), plains prickly pear (Opuntia polycantha), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.), intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium), curly doc (Rumex spp.) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). 3.5 Non-native Trees and Vegetation The site is dominated by exotic species, primarily by a monoculture of Siberian elm trees in the overstory. Typically Siberian elm, with a DBH of less than eleven (11) inches, is not classified as a significant tree; however, the City Forester has determined that the large clumps of smaller elms on the Property are located in a natural habitat buffer that contains ecological value, as provided in paragraph 3.4.1(D)(1) of the Code. * A diagram of tree clumps is provided in Appendix A. Understory species include smooth brome (Bromus inermis), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale), musk thistle (Carduus nutans), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Clump Number* Species Stems Diameter * (inches) Grade Mitigation Trees Needed 1 Siberian Elm 20 2‐10 Fair (‐) 1 2 Siberian Elm 6 2‐7 Fair 1 3 Siberian Elm 55 2‐10 Fair 2 4 Siberian Elm 26 2‐7 Fair 1 5 Siberian Elm 16 2‐4 Fair (‐) 1 6 Siberian Elm 8 2‐5 Fair (‐) 0 7 Siberian Elm 28 2‐6 Fair (‐) 1 8 Siberian Elm 20 2‐4 Fair (‐) 1 9 Siberian Elm 50 2‐7 Fair 2 10 Siberian Elm 7 2‐6 Fair 1 11 Siberian Elm 12 2‐6 Fair 1 12 Siberian Elm 8 2‐4 Poor 0 13 Siberian Elm 40 2‐7 Fair 2 14 Siberian Elm 136 2‐8 Fair 5 Table 1. Tree Inventory conducted with Tim Buchanan, City Forester, for 620. South Lemay. 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 8 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved kochia (Bassia scoparia) and flixweed (Descurainia sophia). It should be noted that houndstongue, leafy spurge and field bindweed are State-listed noxious species. 3.6 Bank, Shoreline and High Water Mark of Perennial Water There are no wetlands or perennial water bodies on this site. 3.7 Sensitive and Specially Valued Species There are no known occurrences or habitat for sensitive and specially valued species on the Property. The USFWS Information, Planning and Conservation System (IPAC) was accessed to determine species of concern in Larimer County, which include the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), Ute lady’s tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) and Colorado butterfly plant (Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis), all of which are associated with riparian/wetland areas. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service technician Craig Hansen, all trapping for the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (PMJM) in Fort Collins has been negative. Typical habitat for Preble's is composed of well-developed riparian vegetation with adjacent, relatively undisturbed grassland communities and a nearby water source. These riparian areas should include a relatively dense combination of grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Based on these habitat requirements and the negative trapping data, it is BMEC’s opinion that Preble’s does not occur on the site and development of this project will not adversely affect Preble’s. Similarly, it is our opinion that the Ute lady’s tresses and Colorado butterfly plant do not occur on the site. The closest known occurrences of these plants are near the northwest boundary of Fort Collins (Ute lady’s tresses) and within the City-managed Soapstone Prairie Natural Area near the Wyoming border (butterfly plant). Suitable habitat is not present within the project area or within the adjacent Poudre River buffer zone. 3.8 Special Habitat Features Due to residential use, special habitat features are minimal. Article 3, Section 3.4.1, of the City of Fort Collins Land Use Code applies to Natural Habitats and Features required a buffer of 300 feet in this reach of the Poudre River, which is within a portion of the proposed project area. The overlap of the buffer and the project area is not a critical component due to the development that has already occurred to the north of the Property as well as the significant gradient change between the site and the Poudre River. According to the Natural Habitat and Features Map is provided the City of Fort Collins (Appendix A), prominent features in the vicinity of the Property include non-native grasslands, non-native upland plains forest and aquatic areas. 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 9 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 3.9 Wildlife Migration Corridors According to the City of Fort Collins Wildlife Management Guidelines, “the Fort Collins area continues to be an important migratory corridor for raptors, songbirds and butterflies. As wetlands have increased along the Front Range, so has the value of Fort Collins for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds and other wetland bird species. Riparian forests along the Poudre River and other stream corridors in Colorado are recognized by many as one of the more diverse ecosystems in the United States.” The Poudre River is located approximately 400 feet from the northern boundary of the Property and serves as a wildlife migration corridor. In addition to avifauna, it is expected that raccoons, skunks and other urban-adapted species use this tributary to move through the region. The current development plans do not call for development along the corridor; therefore, the proposed development should not affect the functioning of the Poudre River and associated natural habitats as a migration corridor. 3.10 General Ecological Functions Due to previous land use, the 0.99-acre site buffers the Poudre River Corridor and supports general ecological functions. Currently the site consists of upland vegetation that is dominated by early seral and exotic species. The proposed project will disturb the entire site, portions not paved will be restored with native vegetation in accordance to current City Land Use Codes (3.2.1 Landscaping and Tree Protection). 3.11 Timing of Development in Relation to Ecological Character The primary concern for the timing of development is protection of nesting birds. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, it is unlawful for anyone to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, purchase or barter, any migratory bird or the parts, nests or eggs. If tree removal or construction commences during the bird breeding season, a survey for active nests should occur and nests should be avoided until activity ends. In addition, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) provides recommended guidelines for seasonal buffers for nesting raptors (http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/RaptorBufferGuidelines 2008.pdf). Although no raptor nests were discovered on site, foliage on deciduous trees was still present and developers should be aware that no tree with an active red-tailed or Swainson’s hawk nest shall be removed unless a permit for such removal has been obtained by the developer from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The breeding season for most migratory birds is between March and August. If the project remains on schedule, the planning process would be completed in May, with construction scheduled for summer 2015. 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 10 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 3.12 Mitigate Measures There are no known impacts to natural habitats or features on the site. Replacement of high- value trees has been outlined on the Tree Mitigation Plan dated September 17, 2014 (submitted to the City separately). A survey for raptor nests was conducted on January 30, 2015 and no stick nests were identified. If construction or tree removal is proposed to begin during the potential bird nesting periods, a nest search is recommended within two weeks prior to the start of construction or tree removal to avoid Migratory Bird Treaty Act infractions. It is the developers intent to present this proposed parking lot as a model of sustainability utilizing xeriscape techniques in the landscape design, as well as bio swales and porous pavers (where possible) in the parking lot to mitigate storm water runoff. Detention may or may not be required depending on the capacity of these measures. Solar lighting will be used as long as it is not cost prohibitive. As required in Section 3.2.2(M)(1) Access, Circulation and Parking, six (6) percent of the interior space of all parking lots with less than one hundred (100) spaces shall be landscape areas (see site plan) and large peripheral areas to the north, east and south will be planted with natural vegetation, improving habitat. 4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations The team at Blue Mountain Environmental Consulting believes that no significant ecological resources will be adversely impacted on this site. The primary concern on-site is the timing of the construction and removal of trees to avoid disturbing nesting birds. The proposed 620 South Lemay Avenue Parking Lot meets the standards that preserve or enhance the ecological character, function and wildlife use of the natural habitat or feature, which in this case is the Poudre River corridor and associated riparian areas. References City of Fort Collins Floodplain Maps and Documents. http://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we- do/stormwater/flooding/floodplain-maps-documents Colorado Parks and Wildlife Recommended Buffer Zones and Seasonal Restrictions for Raptors. http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/RaptorBufferGuid elines2008.pdf Hansen, C. 2014. Email communication from Craig Hansen, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lakewood, Colorado to Clinton Hinebaugh, BMEC, Inc. October 4. 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 11 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved National Wetland Inventory Mapper. Accessed on December 1, 2014. http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html United States Fish and Wildlife Service Information Planning and Conservation System. Accessed on December 1, 2014. http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/ Wildlife Management Guidelines, City of Fort Collins. http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/pdf/wildlife-management-guidelines.pdf 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 12 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 13 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Appendix A: Project Maps 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 14 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 15 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 16 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 17 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 18 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 19 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 South Lemay 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 20 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 21 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Tree Clump Diagram 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 22 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 23 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 24 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 25 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Appendix B: Site Photographs 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 26 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 27 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Location: NW Corner Photo Direction: E Looking east from near the northwest Property corner. Location: NW Corner Photo Direction: SE 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 28 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Looking southeast from near the northwest Property corner. Location: NW Corner Photo Direction: S Looking south from near the northwest Property corner along Hoffman Mill Road. Location: NE Corner Photo Direction: S 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 29 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Looking south from near the northeast Property corner. Location: NE Corner Photo Direction: SW Looking southwest from near the northeast Property corner. Location: NE Corner Photo Direction: W 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 30 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Looking west from near the northeast Property corner. Location: SE Corner Photo Direction: N Looking north from near the southeast Property corner. Location: SE Corner Photo Direction: W 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 31 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Looking west from near the southeast Property corner. Location: SE Corner Photo Direction: NW Looking northwest from near the southeast Property corner. Location: SW Corner Photo Direction: N 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 32 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Looking north along Hoffman Mill Road from near the southwest corner. Location: SW Corner Photo Direction: NE Looking northeast from near the southwest Property corner. Location: SW Corner Photo Direction: E 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 33 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Looking east from near the southeast Property corner. Location: E. Laurel St. Photo Direction: N Looking north into the Property from East Laurel Street. Location: Hoffman Mill Rd. Photo Direction: SE 620 South Lemay Avenue Ecological Characterization Study 34 Copyright © 2015 BMEC All Rights Reserved Looking southeast into the Property from Hoffman Mill Road.